WHAT Happens If Porsche’s Taycan Is A MAJOR FLOP In The USA Like The Audi E-Tron?

This year, one of the most hyped debuts came from Porsche. The company's first-ever electric vehicle, the Taycan, has generated a ton of hype and buzz.

There's just one thing: Will that translate into actual sales? It's tough to say.

We've seen this happen before. From products like the Kia Stinger to the Audi e-tron SUV. Both are underperforming in the marketplace today. Because of that, both Kia and Audi are rumored to be reevaluating their respective strategies. And, frankly, you'd be silly not to.

In today's hyper competitive market, automakers cannot afford a miss. Literally and figuratively.

So, this makes us wonder: IF the all-new Porsche Taycan is a MAJOR FLOP in the US like the Audi e-tron SUV, what will that mean for Porsche?

Will it reconsider its major electrification push? Will that stop an EV 911 and 718 Boxster/Cayman models from happening? Where does Porsche go from there?

runninglogan1 - 10/24/2019 2:36:59 AM

+3 Boost

I'll be shocked if Taycan flops. No pun intended.

valhallakey - 10/24/2019 3:16:31 AM

0 Boost

I really don't think the Taycan will flop. If it does that would be sad indeed. Porsche is trying to be a responsible (and smart responding to the market) automaker and one way is through EVs. So far this looks like it will be a great car but also an expensive car so it won't sell like a model 3 or even a model S, this is aimed more upmarket. Not sure what flop would mean as far as sales go??? What is Porsche's expectation?

SanJoseDriver - 10/24/2019 3:18:40 AM

-3 Boost

It's not going to flop. If sales slow down they'll just cut down the price to a more reasonable level. Porsche is all in an electrification, the Macan is next and the 911 will follow eventually.

Foncool - 10/24/2019 6:55:02 AM

+12 Boost

This is not Porsche responding to market demand, it’s responding to government Social Engineering coupled with paying penance for Dieselgate.

The market will decide if Porsche or any EVs will succeed and right now the market is rejecting EVs. The fact of the matter is that EVs are only 2% of the market and of that 2%, 25% are purchased in 4 zip codes in California.

VW Group has been extorted by the EU, & US bureaucrats and the Global Warming/Climate Change/Whatever we’re calling it today zealots, into risking the entire future of the company and the jobs of tens of thousands of people plus supporting business on a falsified science money grab.

atc98092 - 10/24/2019 8:46:00 AM

0 Boost

To be fair, many EVs are only available in those four zip codes. Or at least in that state. But then with so many of them being more of a compliance vehicle, they aren't building them in high enough numbers to meet demand in other states. And there is demand, but nowhere near the demand for conventional cars. Batteries have to improve for both range and charging speed before that happens. And of course, cost has to come down as well.

Foncool - 10/24/2019 9:27:43 AM

+8 Boost

EVs from major manufacturers are available just about anywhere, the issue is dealers won’t stock them beyond the minimum required to get the models they want or invest in the service upgrades needed for EVs because

THE MARKET DOESN’T WANT THEM! Why would you stock something your customers won’t buy expect for the True Believers or without massive government subsidies?

Truthy - 10/24/2019 9:49:13 AM

+9 Boost

Right, if they were only addressing market demand they would not spend so much to develop a car for such low volume.
Giving incentives to purchase EVs powered by coal plants may feel good, but its effect on the environment is at best negligible.

valhallakey - 10/24/2019 11:02:25 PM

-4 Boost

"Global Warming/Climate Change/Whatever we’re calling it today zealots". New word for you - Scientists.

MDarringer - 10/24/2019 11:27:28 PM

+2 Boost

CTRL + V spewed Alt-Left bullshit

MDarringer - 10/24/2019 8:16:50 AM

-4 Boost

The Audi had failure written all over it. This doesn't. That's the difference.

Truthy - 10/24/2019 9:43:56 AM

+1 Boost

True, a more expensive A-8 with less value.
They should have introduced one or the other.

PUGPROUD - 10/24/2019 8:30:44 AM

0 Boost

The cost of developing EVs combined with the cost of developing autonomous driven cars, increased connectability and new smaller technologically advanced engines is putting tremendous pressure on industry profits and consumers with rising prices. With alternative transportation services also being developed and a company like Porsche announcing it cannot survive long term as an auto manufacturer alone, the industry is headed toward a major consolidation particularly when next recession hits. Any near term failures will accelerate the process.

Truthy - 10/24/2019 9:42:14 AM

-1 Boost

You are absolutely right. I saw a documentary on the next 20 - 25 years that said auto sales will drop by 20 percent or more as alternative transportation grows along with continued urbanization of our population.
It also projected the trickle down effect of this, such as disappearing gas stations, car dealers, etc.

countguy - 10/24/2019 8:43:01 AM

+9 Boost

The Taycan will do just fine.

SuperCarEnthusiast - 10/24/2019 9:58:37 AM

+8 Boost

I think the new Taycan will outsell the Tesla Model S! First off it a Porsche! Second Porsche is about engineering. Third Porsche is about luxury! Fourth, it is already sold out until 2024 model year!

SanJoseDriver - 10/25/2019 12:54:58 AM

-7 Boost

Based on the earnings call, Model S sales are going up in Q4 as is the ASP. They can make up to 50k/year with current infrastructure, which is more capacity than Porsche will have at the end of next year for the Taycan.

Foncool - 10/24/2019 10:11:07 AM

+2 Boost

For the Taycan to be successful, Porsche should engineer into it the possibilities for what Lutz did for the Fisher Karma.

Foncool - 10/24/2019 11:02:10 AM

+1 Boost

Actually I was being facetious. Kind of like what happened in 60s & 70s when someone’s beautiful European car blew its engine. Drop in a Chevy 350, which is basically what Lutz did with the Fisher.

Foncool - 10/24/2019 11:03:56 AM

+1 Boost

Obviously I didn’t catch spell check twice. Fisker